1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2012 Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2012

2. Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide An Appeal Dear User…. This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, change fonts, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. P LEASE U SE A S I S.

3. Jon Paulien, Principal Contributor

4. 1 The Gospel Comes to Thessalonica 2 Preserving Relationships 3 Thessalonica in Paul’s Day 4 Joyous and Thankful (1 Thess 1:1–10) 5 The Apostolic Example (2:1–12) 6 Friends Forever (2:13–3:13) 7 Living Holy Lives (4:1–12) 8 The Dead in Christ (4:13–18) 9 Final Events (5:1–11) 10 Church Life (5:12–28) 11 Promise to the Persecuted (2 Thess 1:1–12) 12 The Antichrist ( 2:1–12) 13 Keeping the Church Faithful (2:13–3:18) 1 and 2 Thessalonians Contents

5. 1 and 2 Thessalonians Our Goal {5} We’ll get a glimpse into the life of an early Christian church and see some of the struggles and challenges that it faced, including the difficulties that arose from the fact that Christ had not yet returned.

6. 1 and 2 Thessalonians Lesson 13, September 29 1 and 2 Thessalonians Lesson 13, September 29 Keeping the Church Faithful

7. Keeping the Church Faithful Key Text 2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”

8. Keeping the Church Faithful Initial Words {151} Church that does not change and grow will die. But not all change is good. Change can lead us away from who we are. It can cause us to lose touch with God’s purpose for us. The Seventh-day Adventist Church must be especially on guard because this present-truth message is being proclaimed by no one but us!

9. Keeping the Church Faithful Quick Look 1. Faithful by God’s Choice (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; 3:1-5) 2. Works of the Unfaithful (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12) 3. Dealing With the Unfaithful (2 Thessalonians 3:13-15)

10. Keeping the Church Faithful 1. Faithful by God’s Choice 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; 3:1-5 NKJV “God from the beginning choose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel…. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”

11. 1.Faithful by God’s Choice Called by the Gospel {152} Though salvation is a gift, the believer experiences it through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth. The life of the believer is more than just a subjective experience; it is solidly grounded in truth.

12. 1.Faithful by God’s Choice Called by the Gospel {152} That is why Paul is so concerned that the Thessalonians hold to the doctrines they have been taught, both by letter and the spoken word. People’s grasp of truth often slips with the passage of time, which is why we must always be affirmed by those who preach and teach us.

13. 1.Faithful by God’s Choice Confidence in the Face of Evil {153} Not all men have “faith” (trust in, or commitment to, God), but the Lord is “faithful” (dependable—one who inspires faith and commitment). This faithful Lord is dependable and will guard them against the evil one, or Satan. Though Satan is more powerful than we are, the Lord is more powerful than Satan.

14. Keeping the Church Faithful 2. Works of the Unfaithful 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 NKJV “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.”

15. 2. Works of the Unfaithful Scripture and Tradition {154} Tradition meant more than just the letters of Paul. It included all that Paul had said, and his actions, which they were to imitate. The fact that Paul worked hard to support himself in Thessalonica show that it was a “tradition” that he expected them to apply to their own lives.

16. 2. Works of the Unfaithful Working and Eating {155} If Paul had only set an example, some could have responded that the tradition was not clear. But Paul had also addressed this issue with words. He often expressed a popular saying as a command, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”

17. 2. Works of the Unfaithful Working and Eating {155} Paul is not criticizing the efforts to care for those in need, those who can’t take care of themselves. Paul’s concern was a group of people in the church who were willfully idle. They were busybodies, minding everyone’s business except their own.

18. Keeping the Church Faithful 3. Dealing With the Unfaithful 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 NKJV “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

19. 3. Dealing With the Unfaithful Tough Love {156} The matter of church discipline is one of the most difficult issues that a local church faces. Some members prefer never to discipline anyone; others prefer harsh sanctions. How does a church find the will of God in the midst of so many competing interests?

20. 3. Dealing With the Unfaithful Tough Love {156} Matthew 18 suggests a clear and simple process. First, a one-on-one conversation between the offender and the one offended. Second, the offended member is to take one or two others along to avoid confusion as to what is being said by one party or the other.

21. 3. Dealing With the Unfaithful Tough Love {156} Only after these first two steps have been carefully followed should the process move to the church in business session. Then, if the offender does not respond to the church as a whole, he or she is to be treated as “a Gentile and a tax collector.”

22. 3. Dealing With the Unfaithful Tough Love {156} No two people are alike. No two situations are alike. In some cases forgiveness softens the heart of an offender and brings reconciliation to the church. In other cases hardened offenders may respond only to a love that is tough enough to confront and administer consequences. Tough love is not a license for abuse.

23. Keeping the Church Faithful Final Words {157} “The custom of supporting men and women in idleness by private gifts or church money encourages them in sinful habits, and this course should be conscientiously avoided. Every man, woman, and child should be educated to do practical, useful work. All should learn some trade.”—E G White The SDA Bible Comm 7:912.